Family caregivers who support older relatives are on the rise due to aging-in-place preferences

Didier Malagies • February 6, 2025




The number of family caregivers who support older relatives in either home-based or residential care settings increased by 32% between 2011 and 2022 — a sharp rise that can be attributed to an increase in the number of caregivers living with recipients. Researchers also say this could be partially tied to rising preferences for aging in place.


This is according to a joint study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. Additional support came from the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).


The raw number increase went from 18.2 million in 2011 to 24.1 million in 2022. The study also found that the number of care hours provided by family and other unpaid caregivers increased by 50% during that time. The average number of weekly hours for such care stood at 21.4 in 2011, but it jumped to 31 in 2022, nine hours short of what is widely considered a full-time weekly work schedule.


The data for the study was sourced from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) from 2011 and 2022, according to information shared by Johns Hopkins about the methodology and findings.


“NHATS interviews a representative group of older adults enrolled in Medicare each year about their daily activities, while the NSOC gathers information annually on unpaid and family caregivers,” the institution explained. “The study included samples of older adults who received help with self-care, mobility, or household activities for health or functioning reasons, and the family or unpaid caregivers who assisted them.”


Roughly 12% of unpaid caregivers in 2022 were friends, neighbors or otherwise not directly associated with the family of the care recipient. The remainder said they were relatives. By 2022, caregivers were also more likely to be younger, better educated and male than the data indicated in 2011.


As aging in place has become more popular with older adults and their families, there could be a tendency to take the availability of family caregivers for granted without consideration to the impacts that caregiving has on their own professional prospects, the researchers said.


“With an increasing emphasis on value-based care and aging in place, there is often an assumption that family caregivers are available and have the capacity to provide needed support,” the study said. “The researchers recommend that policymakers develop strong support systems for family caregivers.”

There is more targeted support for family caregivers under certain situations including through Medicaid waivers, a Medicare hospice benefit and state-level paid family leave policies. But researchers “advocate for a cohesive national strategy to address caregivers’ financial, emotional, and physical challenges.”

Late last year, Johns Hopkins published another study suggesting that the integration of health, social services and community-based support systems must be improved to better accommodate the desires of older Americans to age in place in their homes.



In early 2024, researchers from Rutgers University found that home-based care is a leading outcome for older Americans who seek to age in place. The results of this academic work may shed light on broader considerations, leading more older Americans to seek out certain end-of-life care paths, particularly as the U.S. population grows older more quickly.





Have A Question?

Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers!

Reverse Mortgage Ask A Question


Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By Didier Malagies July 28, 2025
When the 10-year Treasury yield goes down, it generally signals lower interest rates and increased demand for safe-haven assets like U.S. government bonds. Here’s what typically happens across different areas of the economy and markets: 🔻 Why the 10-Year Treasury Yield Drops Increased demand for bonds: Investors buy Treasuries during uncertain times (e.g., recession fears, geopolitical risk), which drives prices up and yields down. Expectations of lower inflation or interest rates: If the Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates or inflation is cooling, yields tend to fall. Weak economic outlook: Slowing growth or a poor jobs report can trigger a yield decline. 📉 Impacts of a Lower 10-Year Treasury Yield 🏦 1. Mortgage Rates and Loans Mortgage rates (especially 30-year fixed) tend to follow the 10-year Treasury. As yields fall, mortgage rates usually decline, making home loans cheaper. This can stimulate the housing market and refinancing activity. 📈 2. Stock Market Lower yields often boost stock prices, especially growth stocks (like tech), because: Borrowing costs are lower. Future earnings are worth more when discounted at a lower rate. Defensive and interest-sensitive sectors (like utilities and real estate) also benefit. 💰 3. Consumer and Business Borrowing Lower Treasury yields can lead to lower interest rates across the board, including for: Auto loans Credit cards Business loans This can boost consumer spending and business investment. 💵 4. U.S. Dollar Falling yields can make U.S. assets less attractive to foreign investors. This can weaken the dollar, which may help U.S. exporters by making goods cheaper abroad. 🪙 5. Inflation Expectations If the yield is falling due to low inflation expectations, it may indicate deflationary pressure. However, if it's just due to safe-haven buying, it might not reflect inflation at all. ⚠️ Potential Risks A sharp drop in the 10-year yield can signal a recession or loss of confidence in the economy. A flattening or inverted yield curve (when short-term rates are higher than long-term) can be a recession warning. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies July 21, 2025
Resi/commercial Typical 2-3 units over a 1-unit ground-floor commercial space LTV’s up to 75% A mixed-use property is a type of real estate development that combines two or more different uses within a single building or development. The most common combination is residential and commercial — for example, apartments or condos above ground-floor retail or office space. 🔑 Key Characteristics of a Mixed-Use Property: Feature Description Use Types Typically includes residential, commercial, retail, office, and sometimes hospitality or industrial components. Zoning Must be zoned for mixed-use by the local municipality. Layout Different uses are separated vertically (e.g., retail on the bottom, housing on top) or horizontally (different sections of the development). Ownership Can be owned by an individual, company, REIT, or government entity; may be leased or sold as separate units. Financing Considered commercial real estate; underwriting depends on the income mix and proportions of use types. 🏢 Common Mixed-Use Examples: Urban Buildings: Apartments above restaurants or retail stores (like Starbucks or a dry cleaner). Suburban Developments: Townhome communities built around a retail plaza or office park. Live/Work Units: Ground-floor office or retail space with a residence above, often used by entrepreneurs. Transit-Oriented Developments: Mixed-use buildings near train stations or bus hubs. 📊 Benefits of Mixed-Use Properties: Diversified Income Streams (residential + commercial) Increased Foot Traffic for businesses Live-Work-Play Environment appeals to urban dwellers Higher Land Use Efficiency and potentially better returns Encouraged by city planning to reduce sprawl and support sustainability A mixed-use property is a type of real estate development that combines two or more different uses within a single building or development. The most common combination is residential and commercial — for example, apartments or condos above ground-floor retail or office space. 🔑 Key Characteristics of a Mixed-Use Property: Feature Description Use Types Typically includes residential, commercial, retail, office, and sometimes hospitality or industrial components. Zoning Must be zoned for mixed-use by the local municipality. Layout Different uses are separated vertically (e.g., retail on bottom, housing on top) or horizontally (different sections of the development). Ownership Can be owned by an individual, company, REIT, or government entity; may be leased or sold as separate units. Financing Considered commercial real estate; underwriting depends on the income mix and proportions of use types. 🏢 Common Mixed-Use Examples: Urban Buildings: Apartments above restaurants or retail stores (like Starbucks or a dry cleaner). Suburban Developments: Townhome communities built around a retail plaza or office park. Live/Work Units: Ground-floor office or retail space with a residence above, often used by entrepreneurs. Transit-Oriented Developments: Mixed-use buildings near train stations or bus hubs. 📊 Benefits of Mixed-Use Properties: Diversified Income Streams (residential + commercial) Increased Foot Traffic for businesses Live-Work-Play Environment appeals to urban dwellers Higher Land Use Efficiency and potentially better returns Encouraged by city planning to reduce sprawl and support sustainability and 🔑 Key Characteristics of 5–10 Unit Multifamily Properties: Feature Description Number of Units 5 to 10 self-contained rental units, each with a kitchen and bathroom. Zoning Generally zoned as multifamily residential or mixed-use, depending on the area. Financing Category Considered commercial real estate by most lenders (5+ units triggers commercial underwriting). Ownership Typically owned by small investors, partnerships, or LLCs. Management Can be owner-managed or managed by a third-party property manager. 4. Private or Bridge Loans Short-term, higher interest Used for rehabs, quick purchases, or properties that don’t qualify for traditional financing 📊 Why Investors Like 5–10 Unit Multifamily: Easier to manage than large apartment complexes More scalable than single-family rentals Still eligible for economies of scale (one roof, one lawn, multiple rents) Can often house hack (live in one unit, rent the others) Tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies July 14, 2025
📉 1. Borrowing Becomes Cheaper Mortgage rates tend to fall, making it easier for people to buy homes or refinance. Car loans, personal loans, and credit cards may also have lower interest rates. Businesses can borrow more cheaply to invest in growth. 💸 2. Consumer Spending Increases Since borrowing is cheaper and savings earn less interest, people are more likely to spend money rather than save it. This can boost demand for goods and services, helping to stimulate economic activity. 🏦 3. Savings Yield Less Savings accounts, CDs, and bonds typically offer lower returns. This can push investors to move money into riskier assets like stocks or real estate in search of higher returns. 📈 4. Stock Market Often Rallies Lower rates can mean higher corporate profits (due to cheaper debt) and increased consumer spending. Investors may shift funds from bonds into stocks, driving up equity prices. 💵 5. The U.S. Dollar May Weaken Lower interest rates can make the dollar less attractive to foreign investors, potentially weakening the currency. This can help U.S. exporters (as their goods become cheaper abroad) but may also increase the cost of imports. 🧩 6. Inflation Could Rise More spending and borrowing can increase demand, which may push prices up, leading to higher inflation—especially if supply can’t keep up. 🏚️ 7. Real Estate Activity Tends to Pick Up Lower mortgage rates can boost homebuying, refinancing, and construction, which helps stimulate related industries. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329 
Show More